Luggage cases



Feb. 28, 1967 HEITLER ETAL 3,306,403

LUGGAGE CASES l2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1963 INVENTORS. EMMETT HEITLE'R WILLARD G AX TELL ROBERT K. FUJ/O/(A ROGER 0. WINTER Feb. 2 1967 E. H. HEITLER ETAL 3 30 403 LUG-GAGE GASES Filed June 20, l 9 65 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE/V TORS EMMETT H. HE/TLER WILLARD G AX T ELL ROBERT K FUJ/OKA ROGER 0. WINTER ATTORNEYS E. H. HEITLER ETAL 3,306 403' Filed June 20, 1963 s E 44 5s B; 49 S mm y 1L\\\\\\\\ 38 3&5; 62 L 59 7 INVENTORS.

EMMETT H HE/TLER W/LLARO 6. AXTELL ROBERT K FUJ/OKA ROGER 0. WINTER ATTORNEYS Feb. 28, 1967 E. H. HEITLER ETAL 3,306,403

I LUGGAGE CASES Filed June 20, 1963 l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 J F/.20. 7e

rsl w 0 K8 0 73 73 I 00 Orl INVENTORS. EMMETT H. HE/TLER WILLARD G AXTELL ROBERT K. FUJ/OKA ROGER 0. WINTER B Yy M M ATTORNEYS F b 2 19 7 E. H. HEITLER ETAL I g gflfifigg LUGGAGE GASES Filed June 20, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 M INVENTORS'.

EMMETT l-l. HE/TLER WILLARD GI AX TELL ROBERT K. F UJ/O/(A ROGER 0. WIN TER E. H. HEITLER ETAL 3,395,403

Feb. 28, 1967 LUGGAGE GASES l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 20, 1963 lNl/ENTORS.

EMMETT H. HE/TLER A WILLARD 6 AXTELL ROBERT K. FUJ/OKA ROGER 0. WINTER ATTORNEYS F b 23, 1967 E. H. HEITLER ETAL 3,306,403

LUGGAGE CASES Filed June 20, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 l/VVE/VTORS. EMMETT H. HE/TLER WILLARD G AXTELL ROBERT A. FUJ/OKA ROGER 0. WINTER ATTORNEYS 1967 E. H. HEITLER ETAL. 3,396,493

LUGGAGE CASES Filed June 20, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 1 l/VVE/VTORS.

EMMETT H. HE/TLER WILLARD a. AXTELL ROBE/PT 1c FUJ/O/(A ROGER 0. WINTER @TTORNEYS Feb. 28, 1%? s flwm LUGGAGE CASES Filed June 20, 1965 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 EMMETT h. HE/T'LEI? WILLA/w (i AXTELL Feb 1967 H. HEITLER ETAL 3,396,493

LUGGAGE CASES Filed June 20, 1963 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTORS.

/ I68 I6! EMMETT H. HE/TLER F/g 54. ROGER 0. WINTER BY 1/ WM Ad PM A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,306,403 LUGGAGE CASES Emmett H. Heitler, Denver, and Willard G. Axtell, Englewood, Colo., Robert K. Fujioka, Los Angeles, Calif., and Roger D. Winter, Denver, Colo., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Samsonite Corporation, Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Filed June 20, 1963, Ser. No. 289,188 20 Claims. (Cl. 190-49) This invention relates to luggage cases.

With the advent of airplane travel, during which luggage cases are subjected to extreme abuses, not only is the strength and resistance to wear an important factor, but also the weight of the luggage case. In addition, in order to attract purchasers, a luggage case should be manufactured sufiiciently economically that it can be sold at a price attractive to the purchaser.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel luggage case; to provide such a luggage case which is light in weight but does not sacrifice resistance to wear and abuse; to provide such a luggage case in which the load imposed by the contents is adequately transferred to a carrying handle; to provide such a luggage case which will adequately resist deformation, not only by weight or other forces imposed while the luggage case is in an upright position, but also when the luggage case is placed on its side; to provide such a luggage case which is rel atively simple in construction; and to provide such a luggage case which can be manufactured economically.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the luggage case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the luggage case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a central frame for the luggage case, separated from the remainder of the luggage case for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the frame of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5, through one of the hinges which connect the two halves of the frame together at the bottom;

FIG. 7 is a cross section similar to FIG. 6, but taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4, at one end of the frame;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a pair of frame strips which form a part of the frame of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan View, on an enlarged scale, of one end of the frame strips, taken from the position of line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 4, at the top of the frame;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of an escutcheon, which forms a part of the frame of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the escutcheon of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a beam, which forms the principal load bearing member of the frame of FIG. 4 and interfits with the escutcheon of FIG. 13 when the luggage case is closed, the beam being shown without a handle attached thereto but with latches installed and the lift lever of one of the latches shown in phantom outline to afford a view of the parts beneath;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation of the beam of FIG. 14, but shown with the handle attached thereto and partially in section along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 -is a fragmentary, vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken longitudinally through a handle support and a portion of the beam to which the handle support is attached, at the position of line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, transverse section, on a further enlarged scale, taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, transverse section, on a considerably enlarged scale, taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary elevation, looking from the inside of the luggage case toward the portions thereof shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation, looking from the inside, of a shell which forms part of the luggage case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the shell of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary section, on a considerably enlarged scale, taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a condensed end elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the opposite shell, a portion of the shell at an inner lower corner being broken away;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a foot forming a part of the luggage case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a longitudinal section taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 24, with a portion of the shell shown, to illustrate the attachment of the foot to the shell;

FIG. 26 is a side elevation of a hat box or the like, similar in construction to the luggage case of FIG. 1, in carrying position;

FIG. 27 is an end elevation of the hat box of FIG. 26, in carrying position;

FIG. 28 is a front elevation of the hat box of FIG. 26, with the handle omitted and in loading position;

FIG. 29 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 28, but with the handle in place;

FIG. 30 is a side elevation of an alternative luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the luggage case of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an end elevation of the luggage case of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary, vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 33-33 of FIG. 31, but showing an alternative form of latch;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary, horizontal section, on a further enlarged scale, taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary, vertical section, also on a further enlarged scale and taken at the position of line 35-35 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 36 is a side elevation, looking from the inside, of a shell forming a part of the luggage case of FIG. 30;

FIG. 37 is a top plan view of the shell of FIG. 36, broken away at one upper, outer corner; I

FIG. 38 is an end elevation of the shell of FIG. 36, broken away at the lower, inner corner;

FIG. 39 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a beam forming a part of the luggage case of FIG. 30;

FIG. 40 is an end elevation, on a further enlarged scale, of the beam of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a lower cover plate for the beam of FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 is an end elevation, on a further enlarged scale, of the cover plate of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is an offset vertical section of the beam of FIG. 39 and cover plate of FIG. 41 when assembled, taken along line 4343 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 44 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 44-44 of FIG. 43 and showing also a frame strip which interfits with the beam, when the case is closed;

FIG. 45 is a condensed side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one of a pair of end strips forming a part of the luggage case of FIG. 32;

FIG. 46 is a fragmentary end elevation, looking from the outside, of the lower portion of the end strip of FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the end strip which is opposite to the end strip of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is a condensed side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a frame strip which forms a part of the luggage case of FIG. 30;

FIG. 49 is a top plan view of the frame strip of FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a condensed bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the frame strip of FIG. 48;

FIG. 51 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 5151 of FIG. 48;

FIG. 52 is a side elevation of a pair of bottom hinge plates, which form a part of the luggage case of FIG. 30;

FIG. 53 is a bottom plan view of the hinge plates of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a fragmentary, vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken through the hinge plates at the position of line 5454 of FIG. 30;

FIG. 55 is a side elevation of a hat box which is similar in construction to the luggage case of FIG. 30;

FIG. 56 is a top plan view of the hat box of FIG. 55, with the handle omitted;

FIG. 57 is an end elevation of the hat box of FIG. 55; and

FIG. 58 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken through a support for the handle, along line 58 58 of FIG. 56, with the handle in place.

A luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention, as in FIGS. 1-3, includes two opposed concave sections which fit together when the case is closed, in the position shown, with a beam B comprising the principal load bearing member. Thus, a handle is attached, as by a handle support 11, to beam B, while the beam B also provides recesses for receiving a pair of latches L and L, which may be of the type of US. Patent No. 3,034,327, or any other suitable type, such as indicated below. The beam B is mounted at the top of one section of the luggage case, which includes a concave shell S, conveniently molded from a suitable plastic, such as the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer known as ABS. The upper edge of shell S extends into a groove on the outer side of beam B, while a frame strip F is attached to the opposite ends of the beam B and is provided with a groove which receives the remainder of the peripheral edge of shell S. The opposite half of the luggage case includes a shell S, which is complementary to shell S and the upper edge of which is received in a groove in an escutcheon E, which interfits with the beam B when the case is closed and carries a pair of hooks or the like for engagement with the latches L and L. A frame strip F, shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, is attached to the opposite ends of the escutcheon E and is provided with a groove which receives the remainder of the peripheral edge of shell S. Frame strip F is overlapped by frame strip F, in a manner described later, so that it is not visible from the outside of the luggage case, when closed. Thus, the beam B and frame strip F form an edge means for shell S, while the escutcheon E and frame strip F form an edge means for the other shell S. Together, such edge means form a frame for the luggage case, when attached together, as described. The two halves or sections of the luggage case are pivotally attached together at the bottom, as by hinges H, which are attached to the frame strips F and F and permit the luggage case sections to be opened, through pivotal movement about the hinges, when the latches L and L are opened. A pair of feet 12 are conveniently attached to the underside of each of the shells S and S, to support the luggage case in upright position. For greater stability, the feet 12 are conveniently attached toward the outside of each of the shells S and S, as in FIG. 3, as well as near the ends, as in FIG. 2. The feet 12 may be placed in opposed longitudinal positions, or the feet attached to one shell may be staggered longitudinally with respect to the feet attached to the opposite shell, as shown.

The beam B and escutcheon E are conveniently formed by die casting, while the frame strips F and F are conveniently formed as extrusions, which are bent to shape, each of the beam, escutcheon and frame strips being formed of a suitable light weight metal, such as an aluminum or magnesium alloy. It will be understood that the central frame of the luggage case has been illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 as independent of the shells, for clarity of illustration, since for greater convenience of assembly, the hinges H are not attached to the luggage case until each half or section thereof, including the shells S and S has been assembled. Such assembly may include attaching the frame strip F to opposite ends of the beam B, as by rivets 13 of FIG. 4, then attaching the shell S to the beam and frame strip F; similarly attaching frame strip F to opposite ends of escutcheon E, then attaching the shell S to the escutcheon and frame strip F; and then attaching the hinges H.

The frame strip F, as in FIGS. 6-8, is formed with a head 14, from which a relatively wide flange 15 extends laterally on the inside, while flange 15 is provided, at a point spaced inwardly from the outer edge, with an inwardly extending rib 16, against which the lining of the case section may abut. The frame strip F is further provided with a thicker lateral flange 17 on the outside, which extends in parallel relation to inner flange 15 to provide a groove into which the peripheral edge of the shell S fits, as shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 6-8. A thinner flange 18, also on the outside, extends in the opposite direction from flange 17, with the outer surfaces of flanges 17 and 18 being continuous and smooth or provided with any desired surface configuration, preferably of an attractive nature, since this outer surface is visible on the exterior of the case. Flange 18 is thinner to accommodate head 19 of frame strip F and is also, so as to overlap the same, conveniently slightly wider than head 19 and outside flange 20 of strip F, the latter of which, in conjunction with a relatively wide, inside flange 21, provides a groove for receiving the peripheral edge of shell S, as also indicated in dotted lines in FIGS. 6-8. Flange 21 of strip F, at a position spaced from its edge, is provided with an inwardly extending rib 16, similar to rib 16 of strip F, against which the lining of the opposite case section may abut. In addition, adjacent the edge of each, both flange 15 of strip F and flange 21 of strip F are provided with a series of spaced holes 22, as in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10, through which rivets may be inserted prior to installation of the shells, which rivets may later be headed over onto the lining of the case, to hold the same in position.

To facilitate bending the frame strips F and F around to correspond to the upper and lower corners of the luggage case, a section thereof may be cut away at each corner. as at 23 in FIG. 5, to the respective ribs 16 and 16', while the ribs 16 and 16, as in FIGS. 9 and 10, may also be cut away for a short distance from each end of the respective strip, to facilitate attachment of rivets 13 and corresponding rivets for attachment of the frame strip F to the escutcheon E. To accommodate the rivets 13 for attachment of beam B, a pair of holes 24 are conveniently punched in the frame strip F, adjacent each end thereof, as in FIG. 10, while corresponding pairs of holes 25 in the frame .strip F accommodate rivets for attachment to escutcheon E.

Each hinge H, as in FIGS. 5-7, comprises two halves formed so that one half 26 overlies flanges 17 and 18 of frame strip F and also a portion of shell S, while the other half 27 overlies a portion of shell S, the two hinge halves being constructed in a conventional manner so as to be pivotal about a hinge pin 28 and shaped to conform to the surfaces which they overlie. Hinge half 26 may be attached to one section of the luggage case by a pair of rivets 29, which extend through the shell S and flange 15, as in FIG. 7, and have a head engaging the inside of flange 15 of frame strip F, as shown. The opposite half 27 of each hinge H may be attached to the opposite section of the luggage case by a pair of rivets 30 which, as in FIG. 7, extend through shell S and flange 21 and have a head engaging the inside of flange 21 of frame strip F. In the bottom thereof, as in FIG. 10, frame strip F is provided with holes 31 for rivets 29, at the position of each hinge H, while frame strip F is provided with similar holes 31 for rivets 30.

The escutcheon E, as in FIGS. 12 and 13, is slightly bowed, as in FIG. 12, to correspond to the preferred contour of the upper portion of the luggage case and carries a pair of complementary, offset hooks 33, the upper offset portion of which is provided with a notch 34 adapted to engage an appropriate part of the latch L or L, as will be described later, and the lower offset portion of which is received in a slot 35 in the underside of escutcheon E and attached to a rear, inside flange 36 thereof, as by rivets 37. Flange 36 is provided with a central, rearward extension 38 and a lateral and forward extension 39, at each end, with each end extension 39 having an upwardly extending rib 40, which provides a border for the corresponding portion of shell S. The front face 41 of escutcheon E is .generally flat, except for a central slot 42, while the lower edge of face 41, between the position of slot 42 and each end extension 39, is provided with a recessed portion providing a shoulder 43 for a purpose described below. The escutcheon is also provided with a rear, outside flange 44, which with flange 36 forms a groove to accommodate the edge of case section S, as in FIG. 11. Flange 44 also has an extension 45 at each end, in spaced overlapping relation to end flange extensions 39.

The beam B, as in FIGS 14 and 15, is provided with a rear, inside flange 47 having end extensions 48 and a rear, outside flange 49 having end extensions 50, disposed in generally parallel relation to form therebetween a slot for receiving the top edge of shell S, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 11. A recess 51, for receiving the respective latches L and L', is formed adjacent each end of the beam and the outer end of each recess preferably slants upwardly, as in FIG. 15, to facilitate access to a lift lever 52 of the respective latch. The bottom of each recess 51, as in FIG. 11, extends toward the escutcheon E as a lip 53 for engagement with shoulder 43, while each lip 53 is conveniently provided with a notch 54 to accommodate the lower portion of the corresponding book 33. At the position of handle 10, as in E16. 17, the beam B is provided with a relatively thick, handle supporting section 55 which is provided with a front, lower flange 56 adapted to be received in slot 42 in the face of escutcheon B when the case sections are closed.

Each of the end extensions 48 of rear flange 47 of beam B are provided with holes 24 for rivets 13 of FIG. 4, which attach the opposite ends of the beam to the frame strip F, while the end extensions 39 of rear flange 36 of the escutcheon E are provided with similar rivet holes 25, for accommodating the corresponding rivets which attach the opposite ends of the escutcheon E to the frame strip F. Also, the flanges 36 and 4-7 are provided with holes 22, disposed in spaced relation therealong, for the insertion of rivets prior to the attachment of the respective shells S and S, which rivets may later be headed down over the lining of the respective sections of the luggage case. In addition, flange 36 may be provided with a pair of spaced holes 22, adjacent each end thereof, for accommodating rivets for attachment of conventional fastening devices for a conventional divider.

As will be evident, when the two halves of the luggage case are closed, the hooks 33 will not only interlock with the respective latches L and L, but the beam B and escutcheon B will interfit, the face 41 of the escutcheon E forming the opposite side of each of the recesses for the latches, as in FIGS. 1 and 11, while the front edge of each end extension 39 of the escutcheon E will abut against the front edge of the corresponding end extensions 48 of the beam B and the front edge of each end extension 45 of escutcheon B will abut against the front edge of the corresponding end extension 50 of the beam B. Each rib 40 of escutcheon E will also fit beneath the corresponding end flange extension 50 of beam B. As indicated above, flange 56, along the central portion of beam B, will engage slot 42 of the escutcheon E and each lip 53 of the beam will engage a shoulder 43 of the escutcheon. Thus, the beam and the escutcheon will be interlocked together. In addition, the frame strip F will overlap the frame strip F, to provide a rigid central framework which is resistant to distortion in any direction, with the case closed, and which is strengthened by the principal load bearing member, i.e., the beam B. Ribs 16 and 16' also contribute to the stability of frame strips F and F, respectively, while the attachment of the shell S to the beam B and frame strip F and the similar attachment of shell S to escutcheon E and frame strip F provides a rigid case construction.

Shells S and S may be attached to the framework in any suitable manner, such as including prongs 57 staked into the shell, as in FIGS. 18 and 19, from curved slots 58, in flange 15 of frame strip F and flange 21 of frame strip F. Prongs 57 may be spaced along the ends of the case, such as three or more prongs at each end, depending upon the size of the case. Since the rivets attaching the hinges to the frame strips extend through the shells, staking may be dispensed with along the bottom edges of the shells, but may be utilized, if desired. The upper edges of the respective shells may be staked in a similar manner to the flanges 47 and 36 of the beam and escutcheon E, respectively, or attached by a series of spaced pins 59, as in FIG. 17, which are inserted in holes provided for that purpose in flanges 36 and 47 and driven through holes in the respective shell and into the opposite flange 44 and 49, respectively. Pins 59 may be fluted, so as to be self tapping.

Handle 10 and handle support 11 may be constructed in any suitable manner, the handle conveniently being formed of a suitable plastic molded about a reinforcing rod whose ends 60 extend inwardly for the lower ends of the handle, as in FIG. 16, and are pivotal in angle clips 61 which are received in the handle support and are attached by screws 62, which extend through beam section 55 into integral blocks 63 and clamp the handle support blocks 63 against the lower leg of each clip. Handle support 11, which is conveniently die cast, may be hollow on the inside at appropriate positions, as shown, to reduce the amount of metal used, in a conventional manner.

Each latch L and L may be constructed as in US. Patent No. 3,034,327, as indicated, or may include, as in FIGS. 14 and 15, a longitudinally movable slide 64 having a flange 65 adapted to engage notch 34 of the corresponding hook 33 and connected to lift lever 52 by a generally rectangular link 66, formed of rod or the like. Lift lever 52 is provided with a depending flange which provides a pivot at a post 67, against which a leaf spring 68 abuts and also engages slide 64 to urge the slide toward an open position. Lift lever 52 is also provided with a key operated lock 69, for locking the lift lever in closed position through engagement with a notch in a locking post 70. When the case is to be opened, each lift lever 52 is raised, moving slide 64 longitudinally toward the adjacent end of the luggage case, so that each flange 65 will clear the corresponding hook 33. Then, the case may be opened through pivotal movement about hinges H. When the case is closed, each hook 33 will enter the corresponding latch space, whereupon each lift lever 52 may be pushed down, so that each flange 65 will engage a notch 34 in the corresponding hook 33. As in FIG. 15, in closed position, the link 66 slants downwardly toward the adjacent end of the case, thus being overthrown past a neutral position, so that the pressure of spring 68 will maintain the latch closed. As will be evident, the position of the latches in the recesses of the beam will prevent an object moving along or across the to of the luggage case from accidentally opening the latch. Thus, an upward force on the underside of the free end of the lift lever is necessary to open either latch.

The shells S and S are similar in form and shape, being interchangeable, but installed in complementary position. Thus, each shell S and S has a convex side wall 72, convex end walls 73, a convex top wall 74 and a bottom wall 75 which is generally flat longitudinally of the case, as in FIG. 20, but is convex in a lateral direction, as in FIG. 23. The side wall 72, at its junction with the top, bottom and end walls, is provided with a circumferential, relatively flat, angular rim 76 and inwardly therefrom an arcuately concave groove 77 formed by an arcuately formed, inwardly extending corrugation 78. The top wall 74 of each shell is provided with a notch or cutout 79 which corresponds to the space occupied by the beam B and escutcheon E, respectively, the notch of shell S fitting into the groove between flanges 47 and 49 of beam B and beneath end extensions 50, and the notch of shell S fitting into the groove between flanges 36 and 44 of escutcheon E and beneath and extensions 45, with each end of notch 79 abutting rim 40. It will be noted that the edge of shell S does not extend to the inner edge of beam B, while the edge of shell S extends beyond the inner face 41 of escutcheon B, so that the same notch 79 will accommodate either beam B or escutcheon E. The peripheral edge of each shell is reduced in thickness, as at 80 in FIG. 23, so as to fit into the grooves of the frame, while the top wall 74 of each shell, as in FIG. 21, may be provided with a series of holes 81, spaced along cutout 79, to accommodate attaching pins 59 of FIG. 17, and the bottom wall 75 with holes 82 to accommodate the hinge rivets. As will be evident, the convex walls of the shells provide additional strength against loads or impacts, while the angular rim 76 and corrugation 78 of each shell provides additional strength to resist the load when the case is placed on its side and other luggage cases or objects are piled on top. Thus, although the side wall 72 of either shell may be pushed inwardly at the center without undue difliculty, the rim 76 and corrugation 78, being adjacent the top, bottom and end walls, transfer the load to them, when the latter are upright with the case on its side. In such a position, the corrugation 78 particularly permits the side wall to flex, without imposing distortion on the top, bottom or end walls.

Each foot 12, as in FIGS. 24 and 25, may comprise a covex bottom flange 83, a sharply inclined flange 84 at each end, a slightly inclined flange 85 at each side and a central post 86, the flanges and post all being integral. At the inner upper edge of each end flange a teat 87 extends upwardly, to be received in a hole 88 in the shell S or S, as in FIG. 25. Post 86 is provided with a hole 89, the lower end of which is enlarged to receive the head of a hollow rivet 90, the upper end of which is riveted over onto the inside of the shell, as shown. The

upper end of post 86 is conveniently spaced from the upper edge of the foot, so that when rivet 90 is headed over, the foot will be pulled into tight engagement with the shell. Each foot 12 may be molded from a suitable plastic, and also may be constructed in the manner of US. Patent 2,950,793.

The hat box of FIGS. 26-29 is similar in construction to the luggage case described above, being provided with a beam B, which is a principal load bearing member and to the opposite ends of which a frame strip F is attached, as well as an escutcheon E, which interfits with the beam when the case sections are closed and to the opposite ends of which is attached a frame strip (not shown) but similar to frame strip F and overlapped by the frame strip F, with the case sections closed. The peripheral edge of a deeper shell 91 extends into grooves provided in beam B and frame strip F to form the bottom half of the hat box, while the peripheral edge of a shallower shell 92 extends into grooves provided by escutcheon E and the frame strip attached thereto, to form the lid of the hat box, the bottom and lid being pivotally connected by hinges H. The beam B and frame strip F form an edge means for shell 91, while escutcheon E and the frame strip attached thereto form an edge means for the opposite shell 92. The hat box is conveniently placed in the position of FIG. 28 for opening and closing, i.e., to place a hat or other article therein or remove the same therefrom. The hat box may, however, be placed in the position of FIGS. 26 and 27, resting on feet 12, or may be carried by a handle or carrying strap 93, which may be molded from plastic or the like and, if desired, provided with a decorative covering, which may be stitched thereto in a conventional manner. As before, beam B provides recesses for latches L and L, but the central section 94 thereof is smaller than the central portion of beam B, since the handle strap 93 is attached centrally of the case and thus is disposed alongside the beam B, rather than extending directly therefrom, but does transfer the load to beam B through its adjacency thereto. The shells 91 and 92 are similar in construction to shells S and S, previously described, except for the differences in depth and a more equal sided configuration, as shown. Thus, the side wall of each of shells 91 and 92 is similarly provided with a generally flat, peripheral rim 76 and an adjacent groove 77, which conveniently have the configuration shown in FIG. 22. The opposite ends of handle 93, as in FIG. 29, are each provided with a hole so as to surround a post 95, on the inside of a hollow handle support 96. Handle support 96 is provided with a depending, peripheral flange 97, the lower edge of which engages the surface of shell 91, while the top of handle support 96 is provided with a pair of slots 98, through which the opposite ends of the handle 93 extend. Each post 95 preferably extends below the lower edge of peripheral flange 97, so as to extend through a hole in shell 91 and abut against a handle plate 99, which corresponds in size to the handle support 96. A pair of screws extend through handle plate 99 into threaded engagement with the respective post 95, to attach the handle to the shell 91. As will be evident from FIG. 28, the handle support 96 is closely adjacent the beam B and, due to the handle plate 99 on the inside of the shell, the load imposed by the handle, when carrying the luggage case, will be transmitted effectively to the beam B. Since a hat box usually contains items which are much lighter in weight than the normal luggage case, the weight imposed during carrying is not great. Of course, the handle plate 99 may be made integral with the beam B, if desired, such as being formed as a thicker extension of the inside flange corresponding to flange 47 of FIGS. 11 and 14.

An alternative luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention, as in FIGS. 3032, includes two opposed concave sections which fit together when the case is closed, in the position shown, with a beam 8'' comprising the principal load bearing member. As before, a handle 10 is attached, as by a handle support 11, to beam B", while the beam B also provides recesses for receiving a pair of latches L and L, which may be of the type of US. Patent No. 3,034,327, or any other suitable type, such as described above, or a further alternative type, such as latch L" of FIG. 33. The beam B is mounted at the top of one section of the luggage case, which includes a concave shell S", conveniently molded from a suitable plastic, such as the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer known as ABS. The upper edge of shell S" extends into a groove on the outer side of beam B", while end strips N and N are attached to the opposite ends of the beam B" and each is provided with a groove which receives the corresponding peripheral edge of shell S. The opposite half of the luggage case includes a shell 8", which is complementary to shell 8'' and the upper and end edges of which are received in a groove in a frame strip R of FIGS. 4850. The offset upper portion 105 of frame strip R corresponds to escutcheon E of FIGS. 12 and 13 and interfits with but is covered by the beam B", when the case is closed, and carries a pair of hooks 106 of FIG. 33 for engagement with latches L and L. Frame strip R is also overlapped by end strips N and N, in a manner described later, so that it is not visible from the outside of the luggage case, when closed. The two halves or sections of the luggage case are pivotally attached together at the bottom, as by a pair of hinge plates P and P, which permit the luggage case sections to be opened, through pivotal movement about the hinges, when the latches L and L are opened. The lower ends of end strips N and N are attached to the opposite ends of hinge plate P, while the inwardly extending, lower ends of frame strip R are attached to the opposite ends of hinge plate P. The beam B" and end strips N and N form an edge means for shell S", while frame strip R forms an edge means for the opposite shell 8. Hinge plates P and P may be considered as part of the respective edge means, through attachment thereto, but forming the hinge and interfitting in a different manner than the remainder of the edge means. As before, a pair of feet 12 are conveniently attached to the underside of each of the shells S" and S'", to support the luggage case in upright position. For greater stability, the feet 12 are conveniently attached toward the outside of each of the shells, as in FIG. 3, as well as near the ends, as in FIG. 2. The feet 12 may be placed in opposed longitudinal positions, as shown, or the feet attached to one shell may be staggered longi tudinally with respect to the feet attached to the opposite shell, as before.

The beam B", frame strip R and hinge plates P and P are conveniently formed by die casting, while the end strips N and N are conveniently formed as extrusions, which are bent to shape, each of the beam, frame strip, hinge plates and end strips being formed of a suitable light weight metal, such as an aluminum or magnesium alloy. For greater convenience of assembly, the hinge plates P and P are not attached together until each half or section of the luggage case, including the shells S" and S", has been assembled. Such assembly may include attaching the end strips N and N to opposite ends of the beam B and hinge plate P, then attaching the shell S" to the beam, end strips and hinge plate; similarly attaching frame strip R to the opposite ends of hinge plate P, then attaching the shell to the hinge plate and frame strip; and then attaching the hinge plates together.

The shells S" and S'" are similar in form and shape, being interchangeable, but installed in complementary position. Thus, shell S, as in FIGS. 3638, has a convex side wall 72, convex end walls 73, a convex top wall 74 and a convex bottom wall 107 having a flat inner flange 108 which merges with the bottom wall at the center, as in FIG. 36, and is connected to the remainder 1t) of the bottom wall by an angular flange 109 and angular end flanges 110. The lower surfaces of the bottom inner flanges 108 of the shells engage the hinge plates P and P, as in FIG. 35. As in the case of shells S and S of the first embodiment, the side wall 72, of each shell 8'' and S, at its junction with the top, bottom and end walls, is provided with a circumferential, relatively flat, angular rim 76 and inwardly therefrom an arcuately concave groove 77 formed by an arcuately formed, inwardly extending corrugation 78. Also, the top wall 74 of each shell is provided with a notch or cutout 79 which corresponds to the space occupied by the beam B" and the offset of frame strip R.

The beam B", as in FIGS. 39 and 40, has a peripheral flange comprising an inside flange 111 which overlaps the frame strip R, an outside flange 112 which overlaps the shell 8', and end flanges 113 which overlap both. Flange 112 is conveniently thicker than flange 111, to provide equal spacing from the shell tops, with the case closed, since a portion of frame strip R is between the top of shell 8" and inside flange 111, as in FIG. 33. End flanges 113, as in FIG. 40, have a notch 114 on the underside, to accommodate the ends of end strips N and N, and on opposite sides of notch 114, correspond in thickness to the adjacent flanges 111 and 112, respectively. The central portion 115 of beam B" is solid across the top, as in FIGS. 43 and 44, being provided with a pair of depending lugs 116 and holes 117 extending therethrough for attachment of handle support 11, as by self tapping screws. The central portion of the beam is also provided with a depending flange 118 at each side, as in FIG. 44, to add strength to the beam and to carry a series of depending teats 119, for attachment to cover C, as described below. Flanges 118 continue longitudinally of the beam, in each direction from the center portion, to provide the side walls of latch recesses 120, the inner end walls of which are provided by transverse ribs 121, integral with flanges 118 and with the bottom walls 122 of the recesses, which are also integral with flanges 118. The outer ends 123 of bottom walls 122 are curved upwardly, as in FIG. 43, to provide also the outer end walls of the latch recesses. The outside flange 118 is provided with a slot 124 at an appropriate position in each latch recess, so that the corresponding hook 106 of FIG. 33 may enter. Recess bottom walls 122 are each provided, on the underside, with a series of spaced, depending teats 119, for attachment to cover C, as described below, while flange 112 is provided with depending teats 119' for attachment to shell S" and cover C. Each recess bottom wall 122 is also provided with an integral well 125 into which a conventional key operated lock 69 of FIG. 31 may extend, for locking the respective latch in closed position by a tumbler of the lock being moved outwardly into engagement with a slot 126 in the side wall of well 125.

The cover C is conveniently stamped from sheet metal and, as in FIGS. 41-43, is provided with a bottom 128, which engages the underside of bottom wall 122 of each latch recess and also extends across the hollow underside of the central portion of the beam, side walls 129 and 130, which fit against side flanges 118 of the beam, upwardly sloping ends 12811, which fit against the underside of the respective outer end- 123 of each latch recess, a lateral flange 131 at the upper edge of side wall 129 and a lateral flange 132 at the upper edge of side wall 130, which are spaced below flanges 111 and 112, respectively, of the beam. Bottom 128 is provided with slots 133, through which wells 125 extend, holes 117' in alignment with holes 117 of the beam, and holes 134 through which teats 119 extend, the latter being shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 as merely extending through holes 134, but in reality being headed over onto the underside of the cover, for attachment of the cover C to beam B. Side wall 129 of cover C is provided with slots, such as slot 124' of FIG. 33, aligned with slots 124 of the beam, while flange 131 is provided with a pair of slots 135 which accommodate mounting blocks for hooks 106. Cover C is also pro vided with irregular end flanges, including a flange portion 136 formed as a continuation of flange 131, which is conveniently doubled onto the underside thereof for additional strength, dual offset flange portions 137 and 138 which engage the underside of the respective end strips N and N, and a vertical flange portion 139 which connects offset flange portion 138 with side flange 132.

When cover C is attached to beam B", a groove receiving the edge of shell S" is formed between flange 112 of the beam and flange 132 of the cover, as in FIG. 33, while a groove for receiving the edge of the opposite case section is provided between flange 111 of the beam and flange 131 of the cover, as in FIG. 44.

Each of the end strips N and N, except at the offset flange 141 of FIGS. 45-47 at the lower end, having a hole 142 for attachment to the hinge plate P or P, has the cross section shown in FIG. 34, thus having outside flanges 143 and 144 having a continuous outer surface and extending in opposite directions from a web 145, an inside flange 146 extending in parallel relation to flange 143 to provide therebetween a groove receiving the edge of shell 8'' and an inside projection 147 which is opposite flange 144 and is adapted to engage frame strip R. At its outer end, inside flange 146 is conveniently provided with a hook shaped flange 148 to provide a groove for receiving the edge of the lining (not shown) of that half of the luggage case and also a place for attaching other conventional parts, such as inside cover hinges or latches. Since the end strips N and N are similar but complementary, a single extrusion may be used for either, by providing a flange 141 at the lower end, formed by removing part of web 145 and flanges 146, 147 and 148, and then bending to the shape shown at 141. Also, as in FIG. 47, a portion of flange 144 is removed, as at cutout 149, to accommodate pivoting of frame strip R at that area. As will be evident, the upper end of each end strip N and N will fit between the end flanges of the beam B and cover C, with flanges 143 and 144 received in notch 114 on the underside of flange 113 of the beam, the underside of flange 144 engaging flange 136 of the cover and the underside of flanges 146 and 148 respectively engaging flanges 137 and 138 of the cover. End strips N and N may be attached to cover C prior to attachment of beam B to the latter, as by welding or by rivets (not shown).

The frame strip R, except at the offset flanges 150 and 151 of FIGS. 48 and 50, which extend inwardly from the lower ends, and each of which is provided with a hole 152 for attachment to the opposite ends of hinge plate P, has the cross section shown in FIGS. 34 and 51, thus having a web 153 from which an outside flange 154 and an inside flange 155 extend in parallel relation to form a groove receiving the edge of shell as in FIG. 34. The outer end of flange 155 may be provided with an angular flange 156, for a purpose similar to flange 148 of end strips N and N. Frame strip R is conveniently extruded through a die, being preferably formed of light weight metal, as indicated previously, although the frame strip may be formed by rolling or the like. Such extruded or formed strip may be cut to appropriate lengths to form the ends and the offset portion 105, together with a pair of complementary sections 157 and 158 having oblique edges, each of which is joined to an end of the offset portion 105 and to the remainder of the frame strips, as by butt welding along the lines 159. The end flanges 150 and 151 are conveniently formed either before or after bending, but preferably prior to welding of sections 157 and 158 and offset portion 105 in place. The frame strip R may be attached to the edge of shell 8 by staking, such as stamping prongs 160, disposed at spaced positions around the frame strip, into the material of the shell. Or, the frame strip R may be attached to the corresponding shell by an adhesive, the shell being held in place during setting of the adhesive by the shell edge 12 attachment clips disclosed and claimed in the application of Willard G. Axtell, Serial No. 266,699, filed March 20, 1963, now US. Patent No. 3,207,275, of September 21, 1965.

Hinge plates P and P are also similar but complementary in construction, each being provided, as in FIGS. 52-54, with a flat base 161 having, on the inside, a series of ears 162 for receiving a hinge pin 163 and, on the outside, an angular flange 164, the upper or outer edge of which is contoured to correspond to the convex bottom wall 107 of shell 8. Ears 162 of the respective hinge plates are interfitting and alternate in position about hinge pin 163, which pivotally connects the two halves of the case together at the bottom. Hinge plates P and P are conveniently attached to the bottom flanges 108 of shells S and S by rivets 165 of FIG. 54 and the rivets which attach the end strips N and N and the frame strip R to the respective hinge plates. The former rivets extend through holes 166 in the hinge plates and the latter through slots 166' of FIG. 53. Each shell flange 108 is reinforced by an angle 167, as in FIGS. 35 and 54, against which the heads of rivets 165 bear, while a washer 168, as in FIG. 54, may be placed around each rivet, to provide a backing for the rivet heading operation.

Each hook 106, as in FIG. 33, may be attached to the offset portion 155 of frame strip R at an appropriate position and mounted on a spacing block 170, being attached by rivets extending through holes 171 of FIG. 49. Thus, hooks 106 may be mounted at a suitable position to enter slots 1 24 and 124 in the beam and cover when the case sections are closed. Each hook 106 is provided with a notch adapted to be engaged by a flange 172 of a slide 173 of a latch, such as the alternative latch L of FIG. 33. Slide 173 is moved longitudinally in the latch recess by a lift lever 174, which is conveniently channel shaped, with one side provided with a slot 175 to accommodate hook 106. As before, lift lever 174 is connected with slide 173 by a link, similar to link 66 of FIG. 14, and is adapted to be overthrown past a neutral position when closed, so that a leaf spring, similar to leaf spring 68 of FIG. 14, will hold the lift lever and slide in closed position.

The hat box of FIGS. 55-58 is similar to the luggage case of FIGS. 30-54, being provided with a beam B' which is a principal load carrying member, to which is attached end strips N and N, in turn attached to a bottom hinge plate P, with the beam and end plates providing a groove which receives the edge of a shell 180, similar to shell S of FIGS. 36-38 but deeper, if desired. The bottom of shell fits hinge plate P in the same manner as shell S" fits the hinge plate. The hat box of FIGS. 55-58 is also provided with a shell 181, which is similar to shell S' but is shallower and which is similarly attached to hinge plate P and to a frame strip similar to frame strip R of FIGS. 48-50. The principal difference between beam B and B is that the former has a central portion 182 to which the handle is not attached, as in FIG. 56, since beam B similarly provides recesses for latches L and L and overlaps the frame strip mounted on the edge of shell 181 when the two halves of the hat box are closed. The beam B' and end strips N and N form an edge means for shell 180, while frame strip R forms an edge means for shell 181, while hinge plates P and P may again be considered a part of the respective edge means, but with the qualifications expressed previously.

The hat box of FIGS. 55-58 may be provided with a handle strap similar to the handle strap 93 of FIGS. 26-29 and installed in a similar manner. Or, it may be provided with a handle strap 183 molded of plastic or the like, in the form shown, about a series of reinforcing strips 184, formed of metal Webbing or the like. The lower ends of the strap extend into a metal socket 185, through which a pin 186 extends and to which reinforcing strips 184 are attached. Socket 185 is received in a well 137 of a handle support 1 88, through which pin 186 extends, while handle support 188 is provided with holes 189 on the underside, which may be tapped to receive screws similar to screws 100 of FIG. 29. Thus, handle support 188 of FIGS. 56 and 58 may be installed in a manner similar to handle support 96 of FIGS. 28 and 29, as described previously, i.e., utilizing a reinforcing plate on the underside of the top of shell 1-80 or extending flange 132 of cover C laterally at the position of the handle.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention fulfills to a marked degree the objects hereinbefore set forth. Thus, through the use of a beam as the or a principal load carrying member, the remainder of the edge means or strips, which extend around the opposed edges of the respective concave shells, may have a smaller cross-section than the beam, without sacrificing strength. By attachment of the handle to the beam, or closely adjacent the beam, the load is adequately transferred to the handle. Also, the interfitting beam and escutcheon, as well as the interfitting edge means for the remainder of the shell edges, resist deformation when the luggage case is upright. The shells, when provided with a peripheral rim and a groove formed by a corrugation, resist deformation of loads, not only with the case upright, but also when it is placed on its side. Such shells may be lighter in weight, since the load resistant properties produced by the rim and groove permit a thinner wall section to be utilized. The beam and escutcheon may be formed of more than one part, while the beam may overlap the escutcheon or vice versa, without sacrifice of strength of ease of manufacture. The principles of this invention may be applied to different types of luggage cases, of different sizes and including hat boxes, as well as the more usual types. The beam conveniently provides a recess for receiving the latch structure, so that the lift levers or the like of the latches will be placed in a protected position. The beam and escutcheon may be readily manufactured by casting, or when in more than one part, by casting one part and forming the other part by stamping sheet metal. 'Extruded or rolled sections are conveniently utilized for parts of the edge means, while when the beam has a flange on the outside, a simple strip may be placed in an opposed position. The beam, escutcheon and other edge means provide grooves receiving the edges of the respective shells, thus simplifying manufacture.

Although different embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist and that various changes may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage case comprising:

two opposed concave shells, each having a top wall, a

bottom wall, end walls and a side wall;

a first edge means extending around and attached to the edges of said top, end and bottom walls of one shell and including a beam disposed centrally across the top of said luggage case but spaced from each end wall of said shell, and providing a principal load carrying member, said beam providing spaced recesses in the top of said luggage case and having a width, transverse to the adjacent edge of said shell, greater than the remainder of said first edge means, which extends around each corner of said shell between each end wall and said top and bottom walls;

a second edge means extending around and attached to the edges of said top, end and bottom walls of the other of said shells, said second edge means being adapted to interfit with said first edge means, at least along the top and ends of said case when said case is closed, said second edge means including an escutch'eson adapted to interfit with said beam when said case is closed and spaced from the ends of said other shell, said second edge means having a lesser width than said beam and extending around each corner of said other shell between each end wall and said top and bottom walls;

a handle for carrying said luggage case;

means attaching said handle at a central position to the upper portion of said luggage case;

latch means mounted in each recess of said beam;

a catch for engagement with each of said latch means and mounted on said escutcheon; and

hinge means pivoting said first and second edge means together at the bottom of said case.

2. A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said hinge means includes portions of said first and second edge means.

3. A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second edge means each includes a strip having an inside and an outside flange forming a groove receiving the edges of the end and bottom walls of the respective shells, said outside flange of one of said strips being laterally extended to overlap said outside flange of the other strips when said case is closed to conceal said outside flange of said other strip.

4. A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said first and said second edge means each includes separate strips having an inside and an outside flange forming a groove receiving the edges of the opposite end walls of the respective shells; and

said hinge means includes opposed strips pivotally connected by a hinge pin and each attached to the edge of the bottom of the respective shell, one of said hinge strips being attached at opposite ends to said remainder of said first edge means and the other of said hinge strips being attached at opposite ends to the portion of said second edge means which extends around said corners between said bottom wall and said end walls of said other shell.

5. A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein said beam overlaps said escutcheon; and

said escutcheon is olfset to accommodate said beam.

6. A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said beam is provided with an inside flange overlapping a portion of said escutcheon with said case closed.

7. A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said escutcheon is provided with an inside flange overlapping a portion of the inner edge of said beam with said case closed.

8. A shell for a luggage case, comprising:

a convex top, bottom and end walls; and

a convex side wall having aperipheral rim, disposed angularly to said side wall and the adjacent top, bottom and end walls, and a corrugation formed by a groove in the outer surface of said side wall and extending around the inner edge of said rim.

9. A luggage case, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said beam is provided with laterally extending, upper flanges along each of the inside and outside and ends thereof, a central land extending between said side flanges and a latch recess on each side of said central land; and

said escutcheon comprises a laterally offset portion of a frame strip extending around the top and end walls of said first shell, said laterally offset portion of said frame strip being overlapped by one side flange and a portion of each end flange of said beam.

10. A luggage case as defined in claim 9, wherein said beam comprises:

an upper portion having said flanges, said central land and latch recesses; and

a lower portion attached to the underside of said upper portion and having flanges around one side and a portion of each end to provide a groove for receiving the edge of the corresponding shell.

11. A luggage case as defined in claim 10, wherein:

said first edge means includes end strips having a groove receiving the edges of the end walls of said shells and an upper end extending between said end flanges of said upper and lower portions of said beam.

12. A luggage case as defined in claim 11, wherein:

said end strips have an irregular configuration on the inside; and

said end flanges of said lower portion of said beam have oifsets therein to correspond to the configuration on the inside of said end strips.

13. A luggage case as defined in claim 12 wherein:

said second edge means includes a strip integral with said escutcheon and having inner and outer flanges forming a shell edge receiving groove and said inner flange is provided with an inner, angular flange; and

said escutcheon is formed by an offset upper portion of said strip attached at each end to strip portions having diagonal edges.

14. In a luggage case having first and second opposite concave shells, each of which has an upper wall, a bottom wall, end walls and a side wall, said shells having opposed edges attached to interfitting edge means forming a frame, with hinges pivotally connecting said edge means together at the bottom and latches detachably connecting said edge means together at the top, said luggage case having a handle at the top, the improvement wherein a first edge means for said first shell includes a beam extending centrally along the edge of the upper wall of one of the shells but spaced from each end wall thereof and being the principal load bearing member, said beam providing recesses for receiving said latches and an attachment position for said handle, with a portion of a second edge means for said second shell lying alongside said beam with said case closed, said second edge means and the remainder of said first edge means being each materially narrower than said beam and extending around the corners of each shell between said top wall and said end walls.

15. A luggage case, a defined in claim 1, wherein:

the first of said shells has a greater width than the second of said shells; and

said handle is attached to said first shell at a position adjacent said beam.

16. A luggage case comprising:

two opposed concave shells, each having a top wall,

a bottom wall, end walls and a side wall;

a beam extending centrally across the top of said luggage case and providing a principal load carrying member, said beam providing spaced recesses;

means attaching the edge of the top wall of one said shell to said beam;

an escutcheon adapted to interfit with said beam when said case is closed;

means attaching the edge of the top wall of the other shell to said escutcheon;

a handle for carrying said luggage case attached at a central position to the upper portion of said luggage case;

latch means mounted in each recess of said beam, said recesses being open on the side facing said escutcheon and said escutcheon being provided with an inner face forming side walls for said recesses of said beam with said case closed;

the central portion of said beam being provided with a flange below the top thereof and the face of said escutcheon being provided with a groove for receiving said beam flange when said case is closed;

a catch for engagement with each of said latch means and mounted on said escutcheon;

said beam being a portion of a first edge means extending around the edge of one shell and said escutcheon being a portion of a second edge means extending around the edge of said other shell; and

hinge means pivoting said first and second edge means together at the bottom of said case.

17. A luggage case comprising:

two opposed concave shells, each having convex top, bottom and end walls and a side wall, each bottom wall of each said shell being provided with a flat inner flange and angular flanges connecting said flat inner flange with the remainder of said convex bottom wall;

a first edge means extending around and attached to the edge of one said shell;

a second edge means adapted to interfit with said first edge means when said case is closed, at least along the top and end walls of said shells, and attached to the edge of the other shell;

a handle for carrying said luggage case attached at a central position to the upper portion of said luggage case;

latch means mounted on said first edge means and catch means for engagement with said latch means mounted on said second edge means;

said first edge means including a flat hinge plate attached to the underside of said flat inner flange of said first shell and said second edge means including a flat hinge plate attached to the underside of said flat inner flange of said second shell; and

a hinge pin pivotally attaching said hinge plates together.

18. A luggage case, as defined in claim 17, wherein each said hinge plate is provided with an outwardly and upwardly extending flange having an upper edge corresponding in contour to said convex bottom wall of the corresponding shell.

19. A luggage case comprising:

two opposed concave shells, each having a top wall,

a bottom wall, end walls and a side wall;

a beam extending centrally across the top of said luggage case and providing a principal load carrying member, said beam providing spaced recesses;

means attaching the edge of the top Wall of one said shell to said beam;

an escutcheon adapted to interfit with said beam when said case is closed;

means attaching the edge of the top wall of the other shell to said escutcheon;

a handle for carrying said luggage case attached at a central position to the upper portion of said luggage case;

latch means mounted in each recess of said beam and a catch for engagement with each of said latch means mounted on said escutcheon;

said beam being a portion of a first edge means extending around the edge of one shell and said escutcheon forming a portion of a second edge means extending around the edge of said other shell;

said beam being wider in a transverse direction thereof than said escutcheon and the remainder of each of said first and second edge means and said beam extending laterally beyond said remainder of each of said first and second edge means, with the case sections closed;

said escutcheon being laterally offset to accommodate said beam; and

hinge means pivoting said first and second edge means together at the bottom of said case.

20. A luggage case as defined in claim 19, wherein:

said one shell is provided with a cutout in the top wall thereof to accommodate the lateral extension of said beam; and

said other shell is provided with a cut-out in the top wall thereof to accommodate the lateral offset of said escutcheon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 44,202 9/1864 Lagowitz -49 1,957,639 5/1934 Goodwin 220--72 2,312,637 3/1943 Fulenwider et al. 220-72 X (Other references on following page) 

1. A LUGGAGE CASE COMPRISING: TWO OPPOSED CONCAVE SHELLS, EACH HAVING A TOP WALL, A BOTTOM WALL, END WALLS AND A SIDE WALL; A FIRST EDGE MEANS EXTENDING AROUND AND ATTACHED TO THE EDGES OF SAID TOP, END AND BOTTOM WALLS OF ONE SHELL AND INCLUDING A BEAM DISPOSED CENTRALLY ACROSS THE TOP OF SAID LUGGAGE CASE BUT SPACED FROM EACH END WALL OF SAID SHELL, AND PROVIDING A PRINCIPAL LOAD CARRYING MEMBER, SAID BEAM PROVIDING SPACED RECESSES IN THE TOP OF SAID LUGGAGE CASE AND HAVING A WIDTH, TRANSVERSE TO THE ADJACENT EDGE OF SAID SHELL, GREATER THAN THE REMAINDER OF SAID FIRST EDGE MEANS, WHICH EXTENDS AROUND EACH CORNER OF SAID SHELL BETWEEN EACH END WALL AND SAID TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS; A SECOND EDGE MEANS EXTENDING AROUND AND ATTACHED TO THE EDGES OF SAID TOP, END AND BOTTOM WALLS OF THE OTHER OF SAID SHELLS, SAID SECOND EDGE MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO INTERFIT WITH SAID FIRST EDGE MEANS, AT LEAST ALONG THE TOP AND ENDS OF SAID CASE WHEN SAID CASE IS CLOSED, SAID SECOND EDGE MEANS INCLUDING AN 